South Side Man Charged In Gold Coast Burglaries

July 31, 1994|By Jerry Thornton, Tribune Staff Writer.

A 38-year-old man who allegedly posed as a janitor inspecting smoke alarms and as a security guard to gain access to Chicago Housing Authority senior citizens apartments in the Gold Coast area was charged with burglary and robbery Friday, police said.

Michael Sartin of 8020 S. Luella Ave. was charged with five counts of residential burglary, one count of robbery and one count of felony theft. He also had an outstanding warrant on a charge of felony theft, said Belmont Area Detective David Ryan.

Police linked Sartin to several burglaries and robberies in the Gold Coast area since January.

Sartin allegedly gained access to the homes of senior citizens after posing as a janitor inspecting smoke alarms or as a security guard, Ryan said. The crimes occurred mostly along LaSalle and Division Streets, he said.

Sartin was arrested about 6:30 a.m. Friday after police, suspecting him in four crimes that morning, chased him and cornered him in an alley in the 1100 block of North Dearborn Street, Ryan said.

Police said that about 2 a.m. Friday, Sartin allegedly knocked on the door of an apartment in a building in the 100 block of West Elm Street and when the resident opened the door, he allegedly pushed his way in.

Ryan said that in a second burglary at that address, Sartin allegedly posed as a security guard and forced his way into that apartment.

About 3:30 a.m., Ryan said, he allegedly robbed a woman in a home in the 1500 block of North LaSalle Street, and while leaving that apartment building allegedly snatched a purse from a woman entering the building.